Dolphins of Delaware Valley

St. Christopher's Church
226 Righters Mill Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035
 Phone: 610-649-5594 Fax: 610-649-5643

www.dolphinsofdelawarevalley.org

Background Information

The Dolphin Program is a well-established ministry with the aging who live in nursing or retirement homes. The special distinction of this program is its one-to-one philosophy. Each Dolphin volunteer visits only one resident, becoming a special friend to that person. The Dolphin usually visits once a week for about an hour, but the schedule may vary depending on the situation.

While in Seminary in 1977, the Rev. Virginia C. Thomas interned at a nursing home as part of a course in pastoral care. As she observed the short-lived effect that group activities usually had on residents and volunteers alike, the real need became increasingly apparent - the need for each resident to have a friend in whom to confide, a friend who would have time to listen.

The Dolphin program came about in response to this need. The basic concept of one-to-one visiting by lay people who would be trained and accountable to their sponsor was presented to the Episcopal churches comprising the Merion Deanery of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. A year later, ten volunteers began visiting a few nursing homes.

Since that time, the Dolphin program has seen a steady growth in the Philadelphia suburbs, other areas in Pennsylvania, and elsewhere in the country. The volunteers from these programs represent many religious denominations making the Dolphin ministry a very ecumenical program. At the present time, the Dolphins of Delaware Valley have approximately 65 volunteers from 32 churches visiting 23 nursing and retirement homes. There are 23 active affiliated programs in the United States. Six of these programs totaling approximately 180 Dolphins are in the greater Philadelphia area. There are 6 programs in the Harrisburg area with approximately 110 Dolphins.

The Dolphin name was selected because the sea mammal has long stood for friendship and joyfulness. If our members can rescue their fellow human beings from loneliness and dejection, they are then indeed Dolphins.

The Dolphins of Delaware Valley are under the guidance of staff and volunteers who work out of an office donated by St. Christopher's Church in Gladwyne, PA. The staff recruits, trains and places volunteers with nursing home residents, gives continued support to these volunteers and residents, and maintains good relationships with nursing home staff personnel. They also provide support and needed materials for affiliates, respond to inquiries, make presentations when requested, plan Dolphin training schools, and help new programs organize.